This is my best photo of 2008. I now feel that it is a bit of cheek suggesting I even have a best photo given both the quality that comes through the Yule photo contest as well as the simple fact that I did not take the variety of photos in 2008 that I did in years past. I like the stability of repeated use that the corner of the cold room provides for the bottle portraits that accompany reviews. Plus my current camera just isn't up to the task.

But I like this picture. Click for a bigger view. The picture comes from the end of an evening in April which found me sharing fine beer with fine company. I like the fact that the photo is so dark. It's closing time. I like the glow of the cooler as well as its reflection like a flame. The glowing "OPEN" sign across the street. The lack of people. BeerBistro! was actually still relatively hopping at that point in the night and the under exposure was entirely by fluke. But, as you know, I actually get out into the world of beer and beer people so rarely that it is the recollection of making it to closing time on a Saturday night in fine form at one of the great beer spots in the continent that this picture brings back.